How did you get into art?

Always have an edge with a pencil from an early age. Took art class all throughout highschool, have just always been around art. Didn't actually take it seriously until 3-4 years ago.

How do you get inspiration for the pieces you produce?

Inspiration can come from anything really. Most of my inspiration comes from conversations with friends or lyrics from a random song. Actually I'd have to say most of my work in inspired by music.

What has been your best creation to date?

That's a loaded question. Ugh, I guess anything that's finished, but to me nothing ever seems 100% finished. Hmmm... off the top of my head probably Click That's definitely in my top favorites of mine, it's based on a photograph I took of my girlfriend. It's hard to say though, picking my own artwork is tough because half the stuff I've made I wouldn't use myself.

How much do you think hype affects the public perception of what good art is?

Hype has a massive impact on the public's perception. Just like fashion or music, most is sold on hype alone. I have a slogan that says "It's not talent, it's hype", and it holds true, I'd have to say I've gotten alot of time in the limelight just from word of mouth, not actual talent.

How did you feel when you realised that art could make money?

I guess it's not how you felt when you first realized, but how you felt when you saw the first cheque. Luckly for me, art is still mainly just a hobby, it's how I relax and share my ideas with the world. If you can make money at a hobby though, that is a good score no doubt. That also offers me the leizure of turning down certain jobs and only picking the ones I think are worth the time, not solely based on the amount they will pay.

Last CD you bought/downloaded/shoplifted?

The last album I grabbed was the new Air album, it won't be released until March 07, but I managd to get a copy. It's not my favorite Air release, alot more chilled than their other endeavors, I do like the song titles though I must say, "Somewhere Between Waking and Sleeping" and "Napalm Love" have a definite ring to them. Album I would have to suggest though would be Junior Boys "So This Is Goodbye".

Your blog features a diverse selection of music, is music as important as art to you?

Music has a huge impact on my art and life. That's evident by pieces like the recent Click and Click Alot of my titles come from song lyrics or are heavily inspired by the song or album or combination of songs I'm listening to while I design.

Why do so many people spend money on music yet so few spend on art?

Hard to say, also depends on what you call art. I think people don't see the lasting value in art like they do in music. It's hard to get the same reaction out of people listening to an emotional song as opposed to someone looking at a photograph or drawing. What I mean is it seems easier to tug on someone's heart with music than it is with visual art. And just like almost anything in life, personal taste are governed by emotion. With that said though, you can't really have one without the other. MTV for example, music goes along with videos, music goes along with the cd design, music goes along with the live light show and dramatics. That didn't really answer the question did it?

Know any jokes?

Yeah, I'm making money at tracing people. That's always a funny one.

What makes you happy?

Charleston Chews, my girlfriend, music, and the thought of knowing that I can escape from the real world at anytime with just a mouse and monitor.

What makes you sad?

Something that really pees me off, is people using my artwork for personal gain. That's always angered me. It will continue to happen though, not much avoiding it. It does say one thing though, people think I'm good enough to rip from, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".
Oh and bad movies, it's so hard to find a good movie these days. And all the good ones are in another language.

Sex, drugs or rock n roll?

Who's the sex with? Maybe if it was, "Sex, Expresso, Electro"

Last book you read?

Book?? Not a big reader but the last one I read was Arthur C. Clarke's "Childhood's End". I love the concept behind that book. Involves aliens, animal rights, and a slave race. Not like slaves running around, but like a race of slaves... nevermind.

Tell us a secret?

I still use a mouse to draw, I haven't used a tablet yet. And I use to watch Care Bears when I was a kid. (last week)

Quote us your favourite song lyric?

Another hard one, "If it can be broke then it can be fixed, if it can be fused then it can be split." Really I don't know, there is so much out there.

What else do like other than art?

I'm a big collector of music, mainly b-sides, rarities, and remixes. Vinyl, Cd, or MP3. I do alot of travel for work, so I snagged a PSP, I'm pretty impressed, it's saved me borderline retardation on some of my longer trips. Playing "Tekken: Dark Resurrection" at the moment.

Did you have a good xmas?

I don't celebrate it, but yeah the holidays were good. It was my parents 25th Anniversary, so I went back to Toronto and spent it with them.

What time did you get up?

I haven't yet.

Any regrets?

As long as I've learned from the mistakes I've made, then I don't regret them at all. So no, no regrets.

Final thoughts...

It's not about detail, it's about style.

Interview - Mr. Burrows 31/12/06